Ankara: Recycled polyester, which global fashion brands often promote as an environmentally friendly option, might be contributing more to the microplastic pollution crisis. A new study released this week highlights this concern.

According to Anadolu Agency, the research was published by the Changing Markets Foundation and carried out by the microplastics research group at Cukurova University in Trkiye. It reveals that garments made from recycled polyester release 55% more microplastic particles during washing compared to those made from virgin polyester. Furthermore, the particles from recycled fabrics are nearly 20% smaller, increasing their potential to spread through the environment and be ingested by living organisms.

The study states that a single wash cycle can release up to 900,000 microplastic fibers. These microplastics have been found in soil, oceans, drinking water, and even in the human brain, placenta, and reproductive organs due to their size and persistence.

Urska Trunk, a campaign manager at the Changing Markets Foundation, expressed that the findings contradict the fashion industry's marketing strategies. 'The fashion industry has marketed recycled polyester as a green solution, but our results show that it exacerbates the microplastic problem,' she said, as reported by YLE news. Trunk suggested that reducing the production of synthetic fibers and halting the use of plastic bottles in disposable clothing production could be more effective solutions.

While the study did not directly measure fiber strength, it noted that recycled polyester is generally weaker and more brittle than virgin polyester. The researchers tested a limited sample of garments from five major brands: Adidas, H and M, Nike, Shein, and Zara. Nike's recycled polyester released the highest amount of microplastics, with over 30,000 fibers per gram of fabric, nearly four times more than H and M and seven times more than Zara. Shein's products, however, emitted similar amounts of microplastics in both recycled and virgin polyester, raising questions about supply-chain integrity.

The foundation highlighted that polyester fraud, where garments labeled as recycled may actually be made from virgin plastic, is 'common.' Despite these concerns, most major fashion brands plan to increase their use of recycled polyester, with some aiming to transition to 100% recycled plastic by 2030. Microplastics have been linked to numerous health concerns, and scientists indicate that these particles are now present in 'every environment on Earth.'